Article ID: | iaor2005265 |
Country: | United States |
Volume: | 168 |
Issue: | 3 |
Start Page Number: | 217 |
End Page Number: | 231 |
Publication Date: | Oct 2003 |
Journal: | Ecological Modelling |
Authors: | Seppelt R., Voinov A. |
Keywords: | biology |
In this paper, the methodological concept of landscape optimization presented by Seppelt and Voinov is analyzed. Two aspects are chosen for detailed study. First, we generalize the performance criterion to assess a vector of ecosystem functions. This leads to a multidimensional analysis of the results of landscape pattern optimization. Second, we consider how these results relate to an existing landscape presented by some current land use maps. We apply an algorithm of pattern matching, which allows us to compare landscape patterns. With this tool we identify patterns in the study area, which are invariant during optimization and identify the relationships to recent landscape patterns known from data. As expected, the local optimization algorithm does not work well in certain situations that involve strong spatial interactions. We are presenting an example when global optimization cannot be efficiently performed in terms of local variables.